Florida (er...kind of) Trip- Part 4- SFOG (the hor

ViperMan6flgs

Tuesday, April 1, 2003 7:50 AM

Sadly it was time for the final part of our spring break trip, a trip to SFOG. After about a 3 hour drive up from Tifton, we reached the park at about 10:10. To my surprise the lines were filled to the brim, as was the season pass processing line. This whole process would end up turning into a nightmare.

After waiting in line about 45 min to buy season tickets, I was informed that in order to renew a season pass I had to go to the willcall line. Last year at SFStL I had been able to get it in the regular ticket line, but no matter, I listened and my girlfriend bought her season pass after which we headed over to the will call line. After waiting for about 20 min in that line, I was informed that there was no season pass renewal, and that I had to buy a regular season pass. I was troubled by this as well, and asked the attendant if she was sure, to which she insisted. I didn't feeling like getting into a big deal about about a ten dollar difference, so I agreed.

After getting the voucher I asked if we could get into the park and then come back in a couple hours to get the pass processed, as I had the previous two years at other 6Flags parks, but I was told that I had to get the pass processed in order to get into the park. I was perplexed at this, as the voucher specifically had a removable ticket for one time park admittance. But again the attendant insisted, and I grudgingly went into the overflowing season pass line.

The processing line was actually movie at a decent rate, but ended up stalling a few times, and long story short, we finally got into the park at 12:30

After that nightmare was not in much of a mood to go on rides, but I proceeded to go on Mindbender, which managed to lift my spirits a bit. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, and would even say its my favorite looper not made by B&M. It's nice to ride a looping coaster that isn't just about inversions. I got some nice pops of airtime in the back as well, and the otsr-free loops were great. Just a really fun, nicely designed coaster. B+

We proceeded to go on the mine train, and after that, we looked through our season pass coupons, which were only good for the park and thus would be useless after today, and found coupons for a free Q-Bot. We promptly went to go retrieve one, and wouldnt you know it, there wasnt even a line. Suddenly the say had taken an upturn. At least there would be no more waiting in lines.

We headed over to SUF and got our time to return. After eating and a delay on the ride, we came back at our time. There was no attendant working the Fast Lane line, so we just walked in. The train was loading at a ridiculously slow pace, which made me even happier that I had the Q-Bot. After about two trains we managed to get on in the 4th row.

Then came something I would never quite forget. About 1/2 to 2/3 of the way up the lifthill, the train came to a stop. of all coasters to get stuck on, I would have to say this must be the most troubling one. About 60-75 feet up, looking straight down and all your weight pressed against the harness and nothing beneath you but the ground. It was quite a situation. We were up there about 5 min, during which my girlfriend was about ready to have a nervous breakdown, and an attendant came up to see us, and informed us of technical difficulties. About two minutes later the lift got going again and our much delayed ride began.

My perception of the ride may be a little altered by the way it began, but overall the ride didnt do too much for me. The drop was fun, and the pretzel loop is probably the best inversion on any coaster, with some incredible G's, but after that the ride failed to impress.

It seemed to be moving at a noticeably slow pace, and after the loop it just didnt really do much. The novelty of it was still fun though, and it was a unique coaster to say the least, so for that alone and the loop it gets a B to a B-

After that it was on to GASM. I figured this would be your typical 6flags out and backer, but this one surprised me. It gave a very good amount of air, and hardly any noticable braking. Like Mindbender, this was just a fun coaster to ride, what a good out n' backer should be. Probably my favorite 6flags woodie after Viper and Boss. B+

Next up was ninja, which we had to wait about 25 min for despite having the Q-Bot, due to single train operation. The regular line had to be at least an hour. This was very similar to the Ninja at SFStL, and might have even been a clone though there seemed to be some small differences. Was actually less rough than I thought it would be, and a not all together bad ride. Still, nothing exactly compelling though. At least worth walking onto. B-

Next stop was Georgia Cyclone. I had heard lots of good things about this one, so I had high hopes. What I wasn't expecting was the heavy heavy braking on this ride. It ended up being closer to Psyclone than Viper. It seemed to just crawl over the hills and go in slow motion at the turnarounds. Amazingly it still managed to give a few pops of violent air. But this coaster was just in a rough state, and was particularly dissapointing because I think it would be a great coaster without the heavy braking. I love wooden coasters and love air time, so it was not without any redeeming qualities, but still, I'd have to say this one was a let down. B- to C+ (at least it was still better than Psyclone)

It was then onto Georgia Scorcher. I wasn't sure what to make of this one. I was hoping it would be like Iron Wolf, just without all the terrible head banging. Thats what it pretty much turned out to be, and I mean that as a good thing. The first drop was nice, as we caught some airtime in the back. The rest of the ride was very smooth, yet still intense. Its always nice to see B&M designs that aren't focused on just going from one inversion to the next (though that can be fun too). This was another fun ride, even if it was nothing mind blowing. As far as B&M stand ups go, I'd put it ahead of Riddler and Iron Wolf, and below Mantis. B

The next stop was Acrophobia. Another very fun ride, and a nice little twist with the incline. As far as drop rides go, I'd say this is my new favorite.

After that we wanted to go on monster plantation, but the line was too long, so we headed over to walk onto the great gasp (parachute), which was a nice change of pace, and the walked onto batman, which was, well, batman. It was my 4th BTR clone, and I'd still say I like the one at SFStl the best, though this one wins the prize for longest queue line.

One more very good run on mindbender, and it was already 6 and park closing time. The day actually ended up pretty well depite the rocky start. The employees were by and large great, much more enthusiastic than at BGT. Overall SFOG has a good little collection of rides, though I would say that it lacks that one great ride that it needs to distinguish itself. I was also a little dissapointed that Deja Vu was closed, as it would have allowed me to have ridden all three of them, but oh well. It was a good park, but nothing I would probably go out of my way to visit again.

And that was the end of my spring break journey, as now its back to the reality of classes at the University of Illinois. Overall I'd say this was the best coaster trip I've taken, though hopefully I will get to top it this summer with a trip out to the east coast.

ViperMan6flgs

Thursday, April 3, 2003 3:54 AM

Yup, I did ride cyclone in the back. I would agree that Mindbender and GASM are its most distinguishing coasters, but they just don't strike me as coasters that would keep people coming back for more visits. Obviously this is something very based on opinion, but neither ride really struck me as a blow away kind of ride like say Raging Bull at SFGAm, Raven/legend at holiday world, Millenium force at CP, etc.

I think if they did have that one signature ride it would really establish SFOG as one of the top ride parks in the country, as they alreay have one of the better overall collections of coasters in the nation.

Danielman

coasterphil

Thursday, April 3, 2003 2:54 PM

I had the same amount of waiting time when I wanted to get my season pass there. You probably just hit Cyclone on a bad day because the first day I went on it I felt like you did but the next day it was a completely different ride and became one of my top 5 wooden coasters.

------------------All who think Mean Streak needs a match taken to it say I.

rollergator

Friday, April 4, 2003 6:11 AM

General Public said:I would say Mindbender and GASM are the "feature" coasters of this park.

Mindbender is SO *all that*....man, if MY home park had a looping terrain Anton with excellent theming and lapbars and was intertwined with the tree line the way that ride is....:):):). One for each *loop*. I finally did find the third loop while riding at Spring Fling....but I've been sworn not to divulge it's location.

GASM may also be a *hallmark* of SFoG in terms of it's classic location and layout...but Ga Cyclone, from my experiences, beats out even GAm's Viper for best copy of "The Original".

Matt D

super7

Friday, April 4, 2003 9:29 AM

In my opinion, Mindbender is the star attraction of this park and the biggest reason to go there if you have been to the other Six Flags parks with the similar coasters as Atlanta. Mindbender is one of Anton's best, is has it all.

ThemeDesigner

Friday, April 4, 2003 9:59 AM

It's a shame you skipped Monster Plantation. It's as great little dark ride, one of my favorites and probably endangered. I don't think anyone will be surprised when it gets replaced by a Scooby Doo Sally Shoot-Em-Up one of these years.I remember seeing Mindbender from the highway when I was a kid on a family vacation going through Georgia... I wanted to ride it so bad. When I finally did ride it 20 years later I have to say it did not disappoint. Definately one of the best loopers out there, and without a doubt (in my mind) the best coaster at SFOG.--------"You're Invited.. to the picnic... Monster picnic where humans are allowed"

General Public

Friday, April 4, 2003 1:15 PM

I have a question that's sort of off topic... why would anyone want a Scooby Doo ride at SFOG? As much as people are opposed to clones and the homogenization of all SF parks, wanting a Scooby Doo ride certainly seems to be an about-face.

------------------Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

General Public

Friday, April 4, 2003 8:21 PM

I've only been on one Scooby ride, at Carowinds... I found it to be 1) lame, and 2) something that's not special, nor original, and requires no thought at all. Just shoot, you stupid passenger! Don't think! Shoot!

------------------Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

rollergator

Actually, while Scooby may not be that popular among the *enthusiast* crowd, it has proven VERY successful at drawing attendance increases....gotta agree with coasterphil on this one GP...

Although I personally don't find MP to be *all that*, I do appreciate its historical context within the park and would be kind of sad to see it go. I'm sure the DAFE folks would be willing to help SFoG update the ride...;)